Robert Noble (company)
Robert Noble is a weaving and textiles business based in the Scottish borders town of Peebles. The origins of the company can be traced back to 1666[1] when it was formed in Galashiels under the name of David Ballantyne. It is listed amongst the oldest surviving UK businesses.
During the next two hundred years the company grew and developed. In 1884 it moved to a new purpose built mill at March Street in Peebles; still the home of Robert Noble today.[2]
During the twentieth century Ballantyne's formed part of the Dawson International business. However, during the latter part of the twentieth century the UK textiles industry went through various re-structuring and Robert Noble was sold off as a separate business.
The Robert Nobles business had lost significant sales in early 2000s when Ministry of Defence contracts for Scottish Regiments were sent outside the UK.[3]
In 2015, after trying to sell the company privately, the management publicly put the site up for sale. Unable to find buyers for the site, the two businesses Robert Noble and Replin were sold to other manufacturers. Robert Noble was sold to Magee's in Ireland and Replin was sold to AW Hainsworth based in Yorkshire.[1]
References
- Hounslea, Tessa (7 September 2015). "Moorbrook Textiles finds buyers for Robert Noble and Replin Fabrics". Drapers. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
- "Timeline". Robert Noble.
- "Blackpool: From the courts 27-06-17". www.scotsman.com.
External links
Historic images of March Street Mills
Historic aerial photographs of March Street Mills
Image of railway waggon advertising March Street Mills
Recent references about Robert Noble
Picture of March Street Mill in 2014
Visit around March Street Mill